NOVEL PIZZA
1759 W 19TH ST, CHICAGO, IL 60608 · Restaurant
Inspection summary
NOVEL PIZZA has been inspected 4 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since April 12, 2024. The most recent inspection, on October 7, 2026, recorded 1 infraction.
None of the 4 inspections on record were free of infractions. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 2 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing and Food temperature control.
Recent inspections have recorded fewer infractions than earlier ones, so the record is improving.
What these findings mean
Health authorities word their violations differently, so we group them by what they mean for food safety. Higher-risk findings are the ones inspectors treat as critical, because they can directly make someone sick.
Cleaning and sanitizingHigher risk
Anything that touches food, such as cutting boards, dishes and utensils, must be washed, rinsed and sanitized. Inspectors check dishwasher temperatures, sanitizer strength and how wiping cloths are stored. Poor sanitizing lets bacteria survive from one use to the next.
Recorded 4 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on August 27, 2025. For example:
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
Food temperature controlHigher risk
Bacteria multiply fastest between about 4 °C and 60 °C (40 °F to 140 °F). Inspectors check that cold food stays cold, hot food stays hot, cooked food is cooled quickly, and that staff have accurate thermometers. Temperature problems are one of the most common causes of food poisoning, so these are treated as critical findings.
Recorded once on August 27, 2025. For example:
APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED
Building, plumbing and upkeepLower risk
Floors, walls and ceilings must be smooth and clean, with working lighting, ventilation, plumbing, hot and cold water, and washrooms. These are rarely an immediate food-safety risk on their own, but persistent problems can lead to pest or sanitation issues.
Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on October 7, 2026. For example:
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
Equipment and utensilsLower risk
Equipment has to be built from cleanable materials, kept in good repair and stored properly. These findings are mostly about upkeep, like a cracked shelf, a worn gasket or utensils stored the wrong way. They are generally lower risk but show how well the kitchen is maintained.
Recorded once on August 27, 2025. For example:
IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
Food safety training and certificationLower risk
Most jurisdictions require a certified food handler or manager on site, and some require allergen or food-worker training. These findings mean the paperwork or the trained person was missing at the time. They do not by themselves mean food was handled unsafely.
Recorded once on April 12, 2024. For example:
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
About this data
These results come from Chicago Department of Public Health, which inspects food premises and other public facilities in this area. We republish the authority's public disclosure data and refresh it regularly; the official record is the final word.
4 inspections
- Complaint
1 infraction
- 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
- HOT WATER HANDLE IN NEED OF REPAIR. HARD TO TURN OFF. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN
- 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
- Complaint
1 infraction
- 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
- LEAK AT FAUCET ON 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN
- 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
- Complaint
3 infractions
- 35. APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED
- FROZEN SPINACH SITTING IN A BIN OF WATER. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY THAW UNDER COLD RUNNING WATER, IN THE MICROWAVE OR IN THE COOLER. MAINTAIN PROPER THAWING OF FOOD.
- 43. IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
- ICE SCOOP NOT PROPERLY STORED IN THE FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO STORE IN A CLEAN BIN/CONTAINER OR IN THE ICE HANDLE UP. MAINTAIN SAME.
- 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
- THE INTERIOR OF THE FRYER WITH GREASE, DIRT AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE INTERIOR OF THE FRYER.
- 35. APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED
- License
4 infractions
- 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
- 2-102.14(O) OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010.
- 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
- 4-602.11(B-E) OBSERVED A SLIGHT BROWNISH SUBSTANCE IN THE ICE MACHINE LOCATED BY THE ICE MAKER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE.
- 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
- 4-603.15 OBSERVED A WRITTEN PROCEDURE IS NEEDED FOR THE CLEAN-IN-PLACE EQUIPMENT SUCH AS THE LARGE DOUGH MIXER AND DOUGH SHEETER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
- 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
- 4-501.19 OBSERVED INADEQUATE HOT WATER AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. HOT WATER TEMPERATURE AT THE TIME OF THE INSPECTION RANGED FROM 96F-102F. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE HOT WATER (MAINTAINING AT LEAST 110F) AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AT ALL TIMES. THE MANAGER ADJUSTED THE HOT WATER TEMPERATURE, AND BY THE END OF THE INSPECTION, THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK WAS MAINTAINING 115F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025.
- 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
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